Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Jessa Braun

Success Story Interview - Jessa Braun

An Interview with Jessa Braun (jessawrites on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Stefanie Molina-Santos of Looking Glass Literary & Media.

01/05/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Jessa Braun:
My book is about a jeer-fearing quarterback who is the first woman drafted to the NFL. She'll do anything to succeed in the male-dominated sport she's sacrificed everything for, even if it means trying not to fall in love with the handsome tight end, and letting only one journalist tell her story. I'm a sports media professional who has always focused my work on women in sport, so a lot of my inspiration comes from what my experiences have shown me about sports and the strong women who are part of it.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Jessa Braun:
Since I was nine. My fourth grade teacher assigned a two-page short story assignment, but I got carried away and accidentally wrote nineteen pages. That's when I realized how many words I had bottled up inside me, so I hauled an old family computer up to my bedroom and started a novel. I've been writing ever since.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Jessa Braun:
I took about a year to write it.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Jessa Braun:
I almost gave up on writing in 2024. I was at a community centre in my hometown, giving myself a talk about how delusional I was to think a novel-writing career was achievable. That same evening, my Grade 10 English teacher came into the centre. He taught me about ten years ago, so I didn't expect him to recognize me. But he came right over and said my name. "I remember your writing," he said, then told me he hoped I was working as a writer now. That encounter gave me enough of a spark to light the match that became this book.
QT: Is this your first book?: Jessa Braun:
The first one I've completed.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Jessa Braun:
Not in creative writing. I studied Sports Journalism in college and have worked as a features writer.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Jessa Braun:
I'm all over the place. 1pm. 1am. Any second I have free time.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Jessa Braun:
I rewrote/edited it twice.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Jessa Braun:
I had four amazing critique partners who read it and provided feedback.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Jessa Braun:
I'm a pantser. But I don't recommend that to my future self. I might have saved myself time if I'd outlined first. Rachel Moore has a great YouTube video about a plotting method that worked well for me before drafting my next project.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Jessa Braun:
I've been querying this book since July 2025.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Jessa Braun:
I sent 80 queries.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Jessa Braun:
I tried to choose agents who listed sports or commercial women's fiction on their wish lists, or had sold books about women athletes.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Jessa Braun:
I personalized them if they'd made a past sale for a book I felt related to my story, or if they had a very specific interest on their wish list that fit well, but otherwise I didn't.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Jessa Braun:
Don't compare your journey, querying stats, or anything to anyone else. Everyone's path is SO different.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Jessa Braun:
Yes, of course:

Success Story Interview - Jessa Braun

Query Letter: